Graeme clocks 2,015 miles to help the homeless

Gillian Loney

With a challenge totalling 2015 miles, even the Proclaimers classic couldn’t sum up southsider Graeme Pert’s commitment to raising money for the homeless.

The Cathcart man has around 500 miles more to go — but it’s the tail end of a year-long fundraising commitment to Glasgow City Mission.

Graeme (56) set himself the challenge — clocking up the equivalent of a marathon and a half every week — to raise as much as possible for his cause, and is now encouraging others to do the same.

He explained: “If you’re thinking of fundraising, find something that’s fun but also a significant challenge in the eyes of others.

“You grow through the process if you aim a bit higher and think creatively.”

Graeme has been clocking his miles by fitting daily runs into his routine, whether it’s running to work or fitting in time during his holidays, and has upped his totals in Canada and the Trossachs, even catching the sunrise over the Washington State Mountains.

But the fundraiser hasn’t been running for long, having caught the bug when trying to get fit in the run-up to his 50th birthday.

Graham Steven, fundraising manager for Glasgow City Mission, told The Extra: “We can’t thank Graeme enough for the lengths he is going to in his fundraising for Glasgow City Mission.

“He is literally going the extra mile in this astonishing challenge.

“All the money he raises goes straight to helping vulnerable people in Glasgow battling homelessness, poverty and social isolation.

Our lifeline services of food provision, advice and skills workshops to help people move forwards again rely solely on the generosity of individual supporters along with local schools, workplaces, churches and charitable trusts — Graeme is making a significant impact through his fundraising.”

Graeme has raised more than £2,000 so far — to follow his progress or to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/GPs-2015miles.